The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) includes fluoridation of drinking water among the Ten Great Public Health Achievements in the United States during the last century. Fluoride in drinking water is known to offer significant beneficial health effects in people because it very effectively reduces tooth decay at low concentrations in drinking water.  However, excessive exposure to fluoride - usually caused by naturally elevated background levels in some groundwater around the world - can give rise to a number of serious adverse health effects.  Purdue University fluoridates drinking water distributed on campus. In concentrated bulk form, fluoride is dangerous and poses an occupational hazard to personnel operating water fluoridation equipment.

The senior design team will create a comprehensive synthesis of information that includes: an assessment of the opinions and knowledge of members of the Purdue community about fluoridation of drinking water; an assessment of local health professional’s (e.g. dentists) opinions about Purdue University’s fluoridation practices; an analysis of available information about fluoride sources other than distributed fluoridated water (e.g. toothpaste, bottled water); an assessment of the efficacy of Purdue’s fluoridation program considering the time spent on campus, and the water drinking habits of the different members of the Purdue community; and a risk-benefit analysis of Purdue’s fluoridation program.